Duration: 10 Days
Italy's top highlights await you on this 10-day guided tour. Stop by the Colosseum in Rome before heading to the Vatican Museums, where a VIP dinner awaits. In Florence, see Piazza della Signoria, an open-air art gallery where Renaissance masterpieces are housed. Join a Local Expert in Pisa for an informative tour of its infamous leaning tower, then stop at an organic farm in the Tuscan hills, where fields of vegetables give way to lines of olive trees, and you’ll feast on an authentic Italian meal. In Venice, board a private boat that will whisk you past the city’s ornate palaces and beneath its bridges to the marble arcades of Piazza San Marco. Day 1
Welcome to the Eternal City of Rome
Rome is one of the world’s most historic cities, filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, renaissance palaces and baroque churches. Transfers to your hotel depart Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 09:30, 12:30 and 15:30. Then this historic city is yours to discover. At 17:30, join your Travel Director for a uniquely Roman Welcome Dinner. Get to know your traveling companions over a relaxed evening of dinner and wine, as you join your local host for a truly Italian, home-cooked meal.
Day 2
Rome Sightseeing and Dinner in the Vatican
In the morning enjoy the very best of the city’s highlights including visiting the magnificent St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican with your Local Expert. Cross the Tiber river to enjoy ancient Rome. See the incredible Circus Maximus famous for its chariot races, and the iconic Colosseum. In the afternoon, enjoy special fast-tracked entry into the Vatican Museums with a Local Expert. Admire the Papal art collection, before entering the Sistine Chapel to marvel at Michelangelo’s masterpiece on its ceiling. Then you'll be privileged to an exclusive Highlight Dinner inside the Ethnological Museum.
Day 3
Rome at Leisure Relaxed Start
Spend another day enjoying Rome at your own pace. Stroll to the boutiques of the Via del Corso and Via Nazionale or visit the elegant designer stores near the Spanish Steps. Perhaps take an Optional Experience south to the ill-fated town of Pompeii, buried in 79 AD by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, to visit one the greatest archaeological sites in the world. With your Local Expert, stroll into a 2,000-year-old town revealing fascinating discoveries preserved in time. Later, take a panoramic tour of the Bay of Naples with the dormant Volcano as a backdrop. You have a few treats in store along the way and then return to Rome, passing the formidable Abbey of Montecassino, one of the greatest shrines of Christendom and the site of an epic battle in 1944. As night falls, why not sip a glass of prosecco at a sidewalk café in the Piazza Navona and enjoy life’s pageantry pass by?
Day 4
On to Florence Relaxed Start
Explore Florence with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the Accademia Museum and see Michelangelo's David. Alternatively, wander through the market stalls on a shopping tour, enjoying all the Italian treats and finery on offer. Walk on to the multi-colored marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, where Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise have been recreated in all their glory. Visit Piazza della Signoria, still the political heart of Florence and an open-air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces. Spend time gazing at statues such as Neptune as well as Hercules and Cacus, along the front of the Palazzo Vecchio.
Day 5
Florence, Birthplace of the Renaissance Relaxed Start
This morning use your free time to explore at leisure or shop as the city is famous for the quality of its luxury goods like gold and leather, Piazza Santa Croce is also the perfect spot to see the basilica.
Day 6
Pisa and the Tuscan Countryside Relaxed Start
After a leisurely morning in Florence, explore the nearby town of Pisa with a Local Expert. See the Leaning Tower, baptistery and the colonnaded bell tower, lurching out from behind the cathedral. Visit the organic farm Il Poggio and join a guided walk, exploring olive oil and wine production. After taking in beautiful views of the rolling Tuscan hills, enjoy tasting the farm’s fine wines and olive oil, in addition to an authentic Italian meal prepared with locally sourced ingredients.
Day 7
On to Venice
Today we travel through the Emilia-Romagna region, and stop to sample the flavors of the region and learn about Italian food culture over a delicious lunch with wine. Take the autostrada east to Venice, Queen of the Adriatic. Your luxurious hotel has elegant Venetian touches and views over an unforgettably romantic city.
Day 8
Venice and the Magic of ‘La Serenissima’ Relaxed Start
Your private boat takes you past historic churches and 13th century palaces to St. Mark's Square. The first sight is the pink marble of the Doge's Palace, connected to the prisons by the Bridge of Sighs. It was from here that Casanova made his daring escape. Turn the corner, and the gilded facade of St. Mark's Basilica comes into view. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during a visit to a traditional arts center. See how beautiful handcrafted glass is made by expert glassblowers, safeguarding traditional skills. This afternoon there is plenty of time to explore the museums, galleries and churches or browse through the shops on the Rialto Bridge. Perhaps cruise out to some of the other islands in the lagoon to experience the age-old lifestyle of Venetian fishermen and lace-makers.
Day 9
Venice at Leisure Relaxed Start
Who could refuse another day to take in the unique atmosphere of this wonderful city? Lose yourself in the back lanes and quiet squares, where tourists seldom tread and the Venetians go about their daily lives. Maybe visit some of the 90 churches housing masterpieces of Venetian art or explore the modern artworks in the Guggenheim? Perhaps relax at a canal-side café sipping local wine or sample delicious lagoon-fresh fish? Later, board a traditional gondola for a serenade through the romantic canals. This evening, indulge in traditional Venetian dishes that are enriched with inspiration from seasonal produce.
Day 10
Arrivederci Venice
Your departure transfer arrives at Venice Marco Polo Airport at 08:00 and 09:30.
Start Date: 2024-05-05
End Date: 2024-05-14
twin
Adult Price: $7525
Child Price: $6955
twinShare
Adult Price: $7525
Child Price: $4155
triple
Adult Price: $7655
Child Price: $7085
single
Adult Price: $9645
Start Date: 2024-05-12
End Date: 2024-05-21
twin
Adult Price: $7525
Child Price: $6955
twinShare
Adult Price: $7525
triple
Adult Price: $7655
Child Price: $7085
single
Adult Price: $9645
Start Date: 2024-05-19
End Date: 2024-05-28
twin
Adult Price: $7525
Child Price: $6955
twinShare
Adult Price: $7525
triple
Adult Price: $7655
Child Price: $7085
single
Adult Price: $9645
Start Date: 2024-05-26
End Date: 2024-06-04
twin
Adult Price: $7525
Child Price: $6955
twinShare
Adult Price: $7525
triple
Adult Price: $7655
Child Price: $7085
single
Adult Price: $9645
Start Date: 2024-06-02
End Date: 2024-06-11
twin
Adult Price: $7525
Child Price: $6955
twinShare
Adult Price: $7525
triple
Adult Price: $7655
Child Price: $7085
single
Adult Price: $9645
Start Date: 2024-06-09
End Date: 2024-06-18
twin
Adult Price: $7525
Child Price: $6955
twinShare
Adult Price: $7525
triple
Adult Price: $7655
Child Price: $7085
single
Adult Price: $9645
Start Date: 2024-06-16
End Date: 2024-06-25
twin
Adult Price: $7525
Child Price: $6955
twinShare
Adult Price: $7525
triple
Adult Price: $7655
Child Price: $7085
single
Adult Price: $9645
Start Date: 2024-06-23
End Date: 2024-07-02
twin
Adult Price: $7525
Child Price: $6955
twinShare
Adult Price: $7525
triple
Adult Price: $7655
Child Price: $7085
single
Adult Price: $9645
Start Date: 2024-06-30
End Date: 2024-07-09
twin
Adult Price: $7495
Child Price: $6925
twinShare
Adult Price: $7495
triple
Adult Price: $7625
Child Price: $7055
single
Adult Price: $9615
Start Date: 2024-07-07
End Date: 2024-07-16
twin
Adult Price: $7495
Child Price: $6925
twinShare
Adult Price: $7495
triple
Adult Price: $7625
Child Price: $7055
single
Adult Price: $9615
Start Date: 2024-07-21
End Date: 2024-07-30
twin
Adult Price: $7225
Child Price: $6655
twinShare
Adult Price: $7225
triple
Adult Price: $7355
Child Price: $6785
single
Adult Price: $9175
Start Date: 2024-07-28
End Date: 2024-08-06
twin
Adult Price: $7125
Child Price: $6555
twinShare
Adult Price: $7125
triple
Adult Price: $7255
Child Price: $6685
single
Adult Price: $9025
Start Date: 2024-08-04
End Date: 2024-08-13
twin
Adult Price: $7125
Child Price: $6555
twinShare
Adult Price: $7125
triple
Adult Price: $7255
Child Price: $6685
single
Adult Price: $9025
Start Date: 2024-08-11
End Date: 2024-08-20
twin
Adult Price: $7125
Child Price: $6555
twinShare
Adult Price: $7125
triple
Adult Price: $7255
Child Price: $6685
single
Adult Price: $9025
Start Date: 2024-08-25
End Date: 2024-09-03
twin
Adult Price: $7450
Child Price: $6880
twinShare
Adult Price: $7450
triple
Adult Price: $7580
Child Price: $7010
single
Adult Price: $9400
Start Date: 2024-09-01
End Date: 2024-09-10
twin
Adult Price: $7750
Child Price: $7180
twinShare
Adult Price: $7750
triple
Adult Price: $7880
Child Price: $7310
single
Adult Price: $9870
Start Date: 2024-09-08
End Date: 2024-09-17
twin
Adult Price: $7750
Child Price: $7180
twinShare
Adult Price: $7750
triple
Adult Price: $7880
Child Price: $7310
single
Adult Price: $9870
Start Date: 2024-09-15
End Date: 2024-09-24
twin
Adult Price: $7750
Child Price: $7180
twinShare
Adult Price: $7750
triple
Adult Price: $7880
Child Price: $7310
single
Adult Price: $9870
Start Date: 2024-09-22
End Date: 2024-10-01
twin
Adult Price: $7725
Child Price: $7155
twinShare
Adult Price: $7725
triple
Adult Price: $7855
Child Price: $7285
single
Adult Price: $9845
Start Date: 2024-09-29
End Date: 2024-10-08
twin
Adult Price: $7725
Child Price: $7155
twinShare
Adult Price: $7725
triple
Adult Price: $7855
Child Price: $7285
single
Adult Price: $9845
